Liquid Filled Rolling Novelty Toy Having Transparent Polyurethane-Based Shell

ABSTRACT

A rolling fluid-filled toy novelty having a transparent shell so that the fluid within the toy is visible. The toy novelty has a molded shell. A base is provided that is affixed to the molded shell. Together, the molded shell and base define a watertight internal chamber that is visible through the material of the molded shell. The internal chamber is filled with a liquid. Flotsam objects are disposed within the internal chamber that swirl within the liquid when the liquid is disturbed. A plurality of wheels are provided. The wheels enable the toy novelty to roll freely on a smooth surface. As the toy novelty is pushed, rolls and contacts other objects, the liquid within the toy vehicle becomes disturbed. The flotsam objects therefore swirl within the liquid, making the toy vehicle visually interesting to observe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to toy vehicles and other rolling toy novelties. More particularly, the present invention relates to rolling toy novelties made from transparent plastics that enable the inner workings of the toy to be viewed.

2. Prior Art Description

There are many novelty items, such as snow globes, that are filled with liquid and swirling particles. The casings of such items are commonly made from glass or transparent plastic so that the swirl of particles and liquid fill can be viewed. Although items such as snow globes are intended to be shaken, then are not designed to be rolled, bounced, or otherwise impacted against a hard surface. If an object such as a snow globe is ever rolled or dropped against a hard surface, the shell of the snow globe would likely crack or shatter, thereby releasing the liquid fill and making a mess and a possible hazard.

In addition to liquid filled toys, many other toys have been made, in part or in whole, from transparent plastics. Often a transparent plastic is used so that an internal feature of the toy can be viewed. For example, a toy car model may have a transparent plastic hood so that the engine of the car can be viewed.

In the past, the plastics used to make transparent toy parts were either polyethylene-based or polycarbonate based. Such plastics can be made to have high strength while still being transparent. However, such plastics are brittle. Accordingly, toys that use such plastic components are not designed to be impacted.

In the toy industry, there are many toys that are specifically designed to withstand high impact forces. For example, toys designed for toddlers are designed to withstand being repeatedly dropped onto hard surfaces. Free-rolling toy vehicles made for toddlers and young children must be able to endure repeated impacts against hard surfaces such as floors, furniture edges, walls, and doors. A problem, therefore, exists within the toy industry of how to make toys that have transparent components, yet can withstand high impact forces without breaking.

The present invention sets forth the structure and method of manufacture of a rolling toy novelty that has transparent components, is fluid-filled, and yet is highly resilient and resistant to impact forces. The details of this novel invention are described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a fluid-filled toy novelty having a transparent shell so that the fluid within the toy vehicle is visible. The toy novelty has a molded shell made of a thermoplastic polyurethane material. A base is provided that is affixed to the molded shell. Together, the molded shell and base define a watertight internal chamber that is visible through the material of the molded shell.

The internal chamber is filled with a liquid. Flotsam objects are disposed within the internal chamber that swirl within the liquid when the liquid is disturbed.

A plurality of wheels are provided. The wheels enable the toy novelty to roll freely on a smooth surface. As the toy novelty is pushed, rolls and contacts other objects, the liquid within the toy vehicle becomes disturbed. The flotsam objects therefore swirl within the liquid, making the toy vehicle visually interesting to observe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of exemplary embodiments thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially fragmented perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rolling toy novelty;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 impacting a secondary surface;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of an alternate second exemplary embodiment of the present invention rolling toy novelty; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of a rolling toy novelty.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention rolling toy novelty can be configured in many ways, the embodiments illustrated show the toy configured as a variety of novelty vehicles. These embodiments are selected in order to set forth various features contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a toy vehicle 10 is shown. The toy vehicle 10 is configured as a car. However, that is merely an exemplary shape and any other vehicle type, such as a truck, train, plane, or the like can be substituted. The toy vehicle 10 has a molded shell 12 that is shaped into the body configuration of the selected vehicle. The molded shell 12 has a peripheral impact region 18. It is the peripheral impact region 18 of the toy vehicle 10 that typically first contacts an obstacle when the toy vehicle 10 rolls and impacts an obstacle. It will therefore be understood that peripheral impact region 18 of the molded shell 12 acts as the impact bumper for the toy vehicle 10.

The molded shell 12 is not solid. Rather, the molded shell 12 defines an internal chamber 14. However, the walls of the molded shell 12 are thick, having an average thickness of between five millimeters and twenty millimeters. The molded shell 12 is preferably thickest along the peripheral impact region 18. The molded shell 12 is made from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material 16. Preferably, the TPU material 16 is transparent or at least highly translucent so that the contents of the internal chamber 14 can be viewed through the TPU material 16.

The internal chamber 14 within the molded shell 12 is accessible through a bottom opening 19. A vehicle base 20 is provided. The vehicle base 20 has a peripheral edge 22 that is the same shape as the bottom opening 19 in the molded shell 12. Consequently, the peripheral edge 22 of the vehicle base 20 can be received within the bottom opening 19 that accesses the internal chamber 14. The molded shell 12 is adhered, or otherwise bonded, to the vehicle base 20. This isolates the internal chamber 14 within the structure of the toy vehicle 10 and creates a watertight enclosure.

The vehicle base 20 is preferably made of the same TPU material as is the shell. However, many other high resiliency synthetic rubber materials can be used. The vehicle base 20 need not be transparent or translucent since the toy vehicle 10 is mostly viewed from above.

The vehicle base 20 has a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26. The top surface 24 is exposed to the interior chamber 14 within the molded shell 12 when the vehicle base 20 is joined to the molded shell 12. The top surface 24 can be smooth. However, in a preferred embodiment, secondary objects 30 can be molded as part of the top surface 24 or adhered to the top surface 24. The secondary objects 30 can be representations of trees, vehicles, buildings, landscapes, game pieces or even game targets. Furthermore, as will later be explained, the secondary objects 30 can be static elements or mechanisms that are operated by the rolling of the toy vehicle 10.

Once the internal chamber 14 is sealed closed by the vehicle base 20, the internal chamber 14 is filled with at least one liquid fill material 32 and optional flotsam materials 34. If present, the flotsam materials 34 are added to the internal chamber 14 prior to the bonding of the vehicle base 20 to the molded shell 12. The liquid is added through an injection hole 36 in the vehicle base 20 that is sealed after it is used. The liquid fill materials 32 are non-toxic, non-staining, and preferably water-based. The liquid fill materials 32 also preferably contain trace amounts of antimicrobial compounds to prevent the growth of algae and/or bacteria within the internal chamber 14.

Wheels 38 are attached to the vehicle base 20. The wheels 38 are free rolling. In the shown embodiments, the wheels 38 attach to axle protrusions 40 that are molded as part of the structure of the vehicle base 20. However, in alternate embodiments, separate axle elements can be provided that engage the vehicle base 20 or are molded into the vehicle base 20.

The wheels 38 can be made of any impact resistant plastic. When placed on the vehicle base 20, the molded shell 12 and wheels 38 create a free rolling toy vehicle 10. The toy vehicle 10 has a transparent molded shell 12 and is filled with liquid fill material 32 and flotsam materials 34 that can be viewed through the molded shell 12.

Referring to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 2, it will be understood that the structure of the toy vehicle 10 is highly impact resistant. As the toy vehicle 10 rolls, it has a peripheral impact region 18 that contacts stationary objects. The peripheral impact region 18 is part of the molded shell 12. Accordingly, when the toy vehicle 10, strikes any object, it is the TPU material 16 of the molded shell 12 that makes contact. Due to the durometer of the TPU material 16, the forces of impact are absorbed by the toy vehicle 10 and the toy vehicle 10 bounces away from the impacted surface. Even if the toy vehicle 10 were to be dropped on a hard floor, the TPU material 16 would absorb the energy of impact and the toy vehicle 10 would bounce away from the impact undamaged. The thickness and the strength of the TPU material 16 are large enough to ensure that the molded shell 12 of the toy vehicle 10 will not break, shatter or pop, even if the toy vehicle 10 were thrown violently against a rough concrete surface.

When the toy vehicle 10 impacts a surface, the velocity of the toy vehicle 10 suddenly changes. This creates deceleration forces within the toy vehicle 10 that are transferred to the liquid fill material 32 and flotsam materials 34 held within the internal chamber 14. When the toy vehicle 10 is rolled into an object, the liquid fill materials 32 and flotsam materials 34 are jarred. The flotsam materials 34 can be glitter or other colored particulate matter that will swirl within the internal chamber 14 when jarred. In this manner, the liquid fill material 32 become very interesting to observe when the toy vehicle 10 is shaken, pushed, turned, or crashed. Alternatively, the flotsam materials 34 within the internal chamber 14 can include game pieces, such as small hoops or balls. The top surface 24 of the vehicle base 20 can have secondary objects formed as goals, posts, or similar game structures. In this manner, when the toy vehicle 10 is rolled into crash, the jarring forces make the game pieces randomly move within the confines of the internal chamber 14. The game pieces may or may not land upon game structures for points.

It will therefore be understood that the toy vehicle 10 can have multiple play objectives. The toy vehicle 10 can be used as a free rolling novelty. The toy vehicle 10 can be used as a rolling snow globe that creates optically interesting patterns when manipulated. Lastly, the toy vehicle 10 can be used as a housing to a game, wherein game pieces can be moved within the toy vehicle 10 by manipulating, rolling, and crashing the toy vehicle 10.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the agitation of the liquid fill material 32 and the flotsam materials 34 are created passively by the manipulations of the toy vehicle 10. In an alternate embodiment, the liquid fill materials and flotsam materials can be actively agitated within the internal chamber independently from the manipulations of the toy vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 4, such an alternate embodiment of a toy vehicle 42 is show. In FIG. 4, an internal chamber 44 within the molded shell 46 is shown. In this embodiment, a volcano landscape 48 is molded onto the top surface of the vehicle base 50. Within the vehicle base 50 is a pump 52. The pump 52 is driven either mechanically or magnetically by the rotation of the vehicle wheels 54.

Within the internal chamber 44 are provided two liquid fill materials 56, 58 having two different densities. Preferably one liquid fill material 56 is water-based and the other is hydrophobic. The two liquid fill materials 56, 58 preferably are different colored with the lighter fill material 56 being transparent or translucent.

Within the vehicle base 50, an intake 60 leads to the pump 52. The pump 52 draws the heavier liquid fill material 58 through the intake 60 and forces that liquid fill material 58 through a volcano structure 62. When the toy vehicle 42 is pushed, the wheels 54 provide power to the pump 52. The pump 52 moves the heavy liquid fill material 58 making the volcano structure 62 appear as though it were erupting. The movement of the heavier liquid fill material 58 disrupts the lighter liquid fill material 56 and any secondary flotsam materials 64 become agitated.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a rolling novelty 70. In this embodiment, the rolling toy novelty 70 is embodied as a toy puck 72. The puck 72 has a molded shell 74 shaped as a hockey puck. The molded shell 74 is transparent or highly translucent. The molded shell 74 attaches to a disk-shaped base 76 to complete the structure of the puck 72. The puck 72 defines an internal chamber 75 that is filled with a liquid fill material 77. Also in the internal chamber 75 are miniature representations of hockey goals 78 and hockey players 80. A free moving miniature puck 82 is provided as flotsam along with loose snow for aesthetic effects.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, wheels are not used. Rather, the base 76 of the rolling toy is molded with spherical sockets 84. Roller balls 86 are provided that have a diameter just slightly smaller than that of the sockets 84. The roller balls 86 snap into the spherical sockets 84 where they are free to rotate. A portion of each of the roller balls 86 extends out below the base 76. This portion of the roller ball 86 touches the ground and supports the rolling toy vehicle 70. The rolling toy 70 is then free to roll upon the roller balls 86.

In the shown embodiment, a roller ball 86 and socket 84 is located under each of the players 80. The players are free to rotate and have a magnetic element 85 coupled to them. The roller balls 86 contain at least one magnetic element 87. Accordingly, when the roller balls 86 roll, they create a changing magnetic field. The magnetic field reacts with the players 80, therein causing the players 80 to spin.

Accordingly, when the toy vehicle 70 is pushed, the players 80 spin and the miniature flotsam puck 82 moves. Depending upon luck, the flotsam puck 82 may or may not move into one of the goals 78.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention that are illustrated and described are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to those embodiments. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. 

1. A rolling toy novelty, comprising: a molded shell of a thermoplastic polyurethane material; a base affixed to said molded shell, wherein said molded shell and said base define a watertight internal chamber; liquid fill material filling said internal chamber; flotsam objects disposed within said internal chamber that swirl within said liquid fill material when said liquid fill material is disturbed; and a plurality of rolling elements that support said base, said molded shell, said liquid fill material and said flotsam objects, therein providing said toy novelty with the ability to roll.
 2. The toy novelty according to claim 1, wherein said liquid fill is visible through said thermoplastic polyurethane material of said molded shell.
 3. The toy novelty according to claim 1, wherein said molded shell has a peripheral impact region that impacts a surface when said toy novelty is rolled into said surface, wherein said peripheral impact region has a thickness of at least five millimeters.
 4. The toy novelty according to claim 1, further including a mechanism extending into said internal chamber for actively agitating said liquid fill material.
 5. The toy novelty according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism is powered by the movement of at least one of said plurality of rolling elements.
 6. The toy novelty according to claim 1, further including axles affixed to said base, wherein said plurality of rolling elements are wheels that attach to said axles.
 7. The toy novelty according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of rolling elements is spherical in shape.
 8. The toy novelty according to claim 7, wherein sockets are formed in said base for receiving said plurality of rolling elements.
 9. The toy novelty according to claim 1, wherein said base has a surface that communicates with said internal chamber.
 10. The toy novelty according to claim 1, wherein secondary structures are anchored to said surface and extend into said internal chamber.
 11. The toy novelty according to claim 10, wherein said secondary structures include at least one game target.
 12. The toy novelty according to claim 11, wherein said flotsam objects include at least one projectile object to be received by said at least one game target.
 13. A rolling toy novelty, comprising: a molded shell made of a translucent, resilient synthetic rubber, wherein said molded shell defines at least part of a watertight internal chamber; wheels supporting said molded shell; liquid fill filling said internal chamber, wherein said liquid fill is visible through said molded shell; an agitation mechanism powered by movement of said wheels that agitates said liquid fill within said internal chamber.
 14. The toy novelty according to claim 13, further including flotsam material mixed with said liquid fill material.
 15. The toy novelty according to claim 13, wherein said liquid fill material includes at least two liquids having different densities.
 16. The toy novelty according to claim 13, wherein said synthetic rubber is a thermoset polyurethane.
 17. The toy novelty according to claim 13, wherein said molded shell has a peripheral impact region that impacts a surface when said toy novelty is rolled into said surface, wherein said peripheral impact region has a thickness of at least five millimeters.
 18. A toy vehicle, comprising: a transparent body made at least in part from a polyurethane-based material, wherein said body defines at least part of an internal chamber; liquid fill material filling said internal chamber; and a plurality of rolling elements that support said body, therein providing said toy novelty with the ability to roll.
 19. The toy vehicle according to claim 18, further including an agitation mechanism powered by movement of said rolling elements that agitates said liquid fill material within said internal chamber.
 20. The toy vehicle according to claim 19, further including flotsam material mixed with said liquid fill material. 